Protective clothing

ABSTRACT

An article of protective clothing including a garment for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer; the garment including: a mask element coupled to the garment wherein the mask element can adopt a stowed position and a deployed position in which the mask element extends forward to cover the nose and/or mouth of the wearer.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to protective clothing, and/or attachments thereto.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Working in dusty environments can cause workers to succumb to various dust diseases. This is due to inhalation of airborne particles and pollutants. However, workers often misplace their protective masks worn to filter out a substantial portion of airborne particles. Also, masks are often damaged from being dropped and then inadvertently trodden on and often masks can be viewed as difficult and unwieldy and as a result are simply not donned.

In addition to environments with airborne particulate matter, masks are being more commonly worn due to concern over contraction of airborne diseases. This is particularly the case in areas of the world that are densely populated such as in cities and on public transportation.

The present invention seeks to ameliorate one or more of the abovementioned disadvantages. The present invention also seeks to provide protective clothing that includes a mask element that is easily deployable in any situation where a user may feel they need to wear a mask.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect the present invention provides an article of protective clothing including a garment for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer; the garment including:

-   -   a mask element coupled to the garment wherein the mask element         can adopt a stowed position, and a deployed position in which         the mask element extends forward to cover the nose and/or mouth         of the wearer.

In one form, the mask element may adopt a stowed position in which at least a portion of the mask is disposed underneath a portion of the garment. In one form, the mask element is in the form of a bight, concave or closed loop. The mask element may be coupled to, and extend from at least one anchor region on the garment.

According to one form, the garment includes a shirt type folded collar including an over fold wherein the mask in the stowed position is disposed underneath the over fold. In one form of this embodiment, the at least one anchor region is/are located on part of the folded type collar and may be located on an under surface of the over fold of the shirt type folded collar. In one form, the mask element is coupled to, and extends from two anchor regions wherein the two anchor regions are located on opposite sides of the shirt type folded collar proximate the to the middle of the respective sides of the wearer's neck.

According to an alternative form the garment includes a pocket portion located proximate a neck region of the garment wherein the mask in the stowed position is disposed within the pocket portion. In one form of this embodiment, the pocket portion is located on a back side of the garment wherein the at least one anchor region is/are located within the pocket portion

In one form, the mask element is detachably coupled to the garment. In another form the mask element is detachably coupled to the garment by hook and loop fasteners.

In one form the mask element acts as a filter. In another form, the mask element acts as a filter for particulate matter and/or airborne diseases. In one form the mask element is substantially hidden from view in the stowed position.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a method of portably inhibiting ingestion of dust and/or airborne pollution, the method including the steps of:

-   -   providing an article of protective clothing including a garment         for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer;         the garment including:         -   a mask element coupled to the garment wherein the mask             element can adopt a stowed position, and a deployed position             in which the mask element extends forward to cover the nose             and/or mouth of the wearer; and,     -   deploying the mask element to cover the mouth and nose of the         wearer.

According to another aspect the present invention provides a mask element adapted to be attached either permanently or removably to a garment for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer, the mask element being configured to adopt a stowed position, and a deployed position in which the mask element extends forward to cover the nose and/or mouth of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the present invention, one or more preferred embodiments will hereinafter be described with reference to the attached drawings, and in those drawings:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a protective shirt incorporating a mask for filtering airborne particles in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a series of side elevation views which show the deployment sequence of the device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear elevation view of a protective shirt incorporating a mask for filtering airborne particles in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the same embodiment as depicted in FIG. 3; and,

FIG. 5 is a series of side elevation views which show the deployment sequence of the device shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION AND EMBODIMENTS THEREOF

In accordance with one embodiment the present invention provides an article of protective clothing including a garment for covering at least an upper body of a wearer; the garment comprising a shirt type folded collar; and a mask element in the form of a bight, concave or closed loop, and which extends from an anchor region on one side or rear of the shirt type folded collar to another anchor region or rear of the shirt type folded collar on the other side, wherein the mask element when connected to the shirt type folded collar can adopt a stowed position in which at least a portion of the mask is disposed on an under surface of the shirt type folded collar so as to be substantially hidden from view under the over fold of the collar, and a deployed position in which the mask extends forward to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer. In this embodiment, the mask element acts as a filter and may be detachable. The mask element may also be affixed to the under fold of the collar by hook and loop fasteners.

The mask element may be machine washable, and may be rated to Australian dust standard of P1 or P2 or any other dust standard for such analogous protection in other jurisdiction around the world.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of portably inhibiting ingestion of dust and airborne pollution, the method including the steps of: providing a mask element in a stowed position under an over fold of a shirt collar of a shirt worn by a wearer, the mask element extending in a closed loop or bight from one anchor region on one side of the collar or a rear portion thereof to another anchor region on another side or the rear thereof, the mask element being substantially hidden from view in the stowed position; deploying the mask element by unfolding the over fold and extending the mask element over the wearers head so that the mask element extends from the anchor regions to cover the mouth and nose of the wearer.

According to a further embodiment of the present invention there is provided a mask element adapted to be attached either permanently or removably to the under fold of a collar of a shirt, the mask element, when connected to the collar is in the form of a bight, concave or closed loop, and which extends from one anchor region on one side of the collar or its rear to another anchor region on another side of the collar or its rear, the mask element being configured to adopt a stowed position in which at least a portion of the mask is disposed on an under surface of the collar so as to be substantially hidden from view under the over fold of the collar, and a deployed position in which the mask extends forward to cover the nose and mouth of the wearer.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention wherein an article of protective clothing which is generally indicated at 10 and includes a shirt 12, which comprises a shirt type folded collar with an over fold 14 having a base fold 15 and an under surface of the over fold 16. The under surface of the over fold 16 is a portion of the collar which is adjacent its outer perimeter 17 while the base fold 15 is a portion of the collar adjacent the internal periphery 18 adjacent the wearers neck.

The article of clothing 10 further includes a mask element 20 which includes a filter region 26, and is attached to the folded collar at an anchor region 22. The mask element 20 further includes a left side extension region 23 and a right side extension regions or portions 24 which connect the filter 26 to the anchor region 22. The mask element 20 is in the form of a closed loop or bight 27 which in this embodiment extends from the anchor region 22 at the rear of the collar through the left side, filter, and right side and back to the anchor region 22.

Although not shown in the present figures, the anchor regions may be positioned such that they are located on the shirt collar proximate to the middle of the neck of the wearer on opposite sides of the collar. This provides that the anchor regions are located beneath the wearer's ears which provides an ideal anchor point to provide the mask element does not easily tangle in the stowed position before moving to the deployed position. In a further form, the anchor regions are located on the under surface of the over fold of the shirt type collar, so that when in the deployed position, the over fold is extended up and the anchor portions are located just below the wearers ear lobes. This provides that the mask can be in a tight fitting arrangement around the underside of the shirt collar in the stowed position and does not require lengthy extension portions from the anchor regions to reach the nose and mouth of the user in the deployed position.

In one form, anchor region 22 and/or left or right side extension regions 23 and/or 24, are composed of a material with elastic properties to provide that the mask element 20 fits comfortably over the nose and mouth of the individual in a close fitting arrangement.

The mask element 20 is, in the embodiments shown, sewn onto an under side surface of the over fold 16. However, in some alternative arrangements, the mask element 20 may be attachable or removably connected with hook and loop fasteners (not shown).

Advantageously, the mask element 20 is mounted adjacent a perimeter of the over fold so that, when the mask is deployed, or in the deployed position, shown in FIG. 2 d, the collar is in the unfolded position extending upwards from the users shoulders, and the mask element 20 extends horizontally so that a base edge 31 underlies the users jaw and chin while an upper edge 32 tapers upwards so that when in the deployed position it overlies the bridge of the wearers nose for facilitating sealing around the edges of the mask element to ensure protection from airborne particulate matter.

In operation, the protective clothing can extend from the stowed position shown in FIG. 2 a to the deployed position shown in FIG. 2 b. In FIG. 2 a the mask element 20 in the stowed position is substantially hidden from view by the over fold 16 of the collar. To begin to move the mask element into the deployed position (FIG. 2 b) the over fold 16 is turned up showing the anchor region 22 on the underside surface 15 of the over fold 16. The method of deploying, or moving from the stowed position to the deployed position is such that the collar is unfolded, and the filter region 26 of the mask element 20 is extended over the users head (see FIG. 2 c) and the base edge 32 of the mask element is brought down to an under side of the jaw of a user, while the upper edge 32 of the mask 20 is disposed in a position which facilitates good sealing by running along the bridge of the users nose and the users cheek bones to inhibit dust entry to the users nose and mouth. The filter element 26 in the deployed position is situated wherein any air passing though to the users mouth and/or nose region passes through the filter element 26.

In the preferred embodiments shown, the mask is formed from a material which is fabric and machine washable. However it is envisaged that the mask may be made from any suitable material. In a further embodiment, the mask element may further include an exhaust valve.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 there is shown a further embodiment of the present invention wherein an upper body garment 50 includes a pocket portion 55 on the rear or back region of the upper body garment 50 just adjacent a neck region 70 of the shirt 50. The pocket portion 55 provides a compartment wherein a mask element 60 can rest in a stowed position substantially removed from view and in the present embodiment completely hidden from view.

Referring to FIG. 4 specifically you can see the garment 50 from a front view with the mask element 60 in a deployed position wherein the mask element 60 is removed from the pocket 55 and extended to fit over the nose and mouth of a user. The mask element extends from an anchor region located within the pocket portion 55 via extension portions 63 which allowed the mask element 60 to be extended and placed over the head of the user.

Referring to FIGS. 5 a to 5 c, there is shown the sequence whereby the mask element 60 is removed from the pocket portion 55 (not shown in this view) from a stowed position extended and placed over the head of the user whereby the mask element 60 sits in place over the nose and mouth of the user in the deployed position providing that the mask reduces the amount of air borne particles that are ingested by the wearer.

Finally, it is to be understood that the mask in alternative arrangements can be stored in a pouch or a pocket on the inside or the outside of the shirt in close proximity to the collar on the rear of the shirt. This facilitates access to the mask element 20 and inhibits the filter becoming clogged with dust and other particles and pollution in daily use when in the stowed position.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word “comprise”, and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising”, will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or admission or any form of suggestion that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superseded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and/or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention. 

1. An article of protective clothing including a garment for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer; the garment including: a mask element coupled to the garment wherein the mask element can adopt a stowed position and a deployed position in which the mask element extends forward to cover the nose and/or mouth of the wearer.
 2. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 whereby when the mask element is in the stowed position at least a portion of the mask is disposed underneath a portion of the garment.
 3. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the mask element is in the form of a bight, concave or closed loop.
 4. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element is coupled to, and extends from at least one anchor region on the garment.
 5. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the garment includes a shirt type folded collar including an over fold wherein the mask in the stowed position is disposed underneath the over fold.
 6. An article of protective clothing according to claim 5 wherein the at least one anchor region is/are located on the shirt type folded collar.
 7. An article of protective clothing according to claim 6 wherein the mask element is coupled to, and extends from two anchor regions located on the shirt type folded collar.
 8. An article of protective clothing according to claim 7 wherein the two anchor regions are located on opposite sides of the shirt type folded collar proximate to the middle of the respective sides of the neck of the wearer.
 9. An article of protective clothing according to claim 8 wherein the two anchor regions are located on an under surface of the over fold of the shirt type folded collar.
 10. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the garment includes a pocket portion located proximate a neck region of the garment wherein the mask in the stowed position is disposed within the pocket portion
 11. An article of protective clothing according to claim 10 wherein the pocket portion is located on a back side of the garment.
 12. An article of protective clothing according to claim 10 wherein the at least one anchor region is/are located within the pocket portion
 13. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element is detachably coupled to the garment.
 14. An article of protective clothing according to claim 13 wherein the mask element is detachably coupled to the garment by hook and loop fasteners.
 15. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element acts as a filter.
 16. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element is substantially hidden from view in the stowed position.
 17. An article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element includes a filter region which in use is capable of filtering air passing through the filter region into the nose and/or mouth of the user.
 18. An article of protective clothing according to claim 17 wherein the filter region is capable of removing airborne particulate matter and/or airborne diseases from air passing into the nose and/or mouth of the user.
 19. A method of portably inhibiting ingestion of dust and/or airborne pollution, the method including the steps of: providing an article of protective clothing according to claim 1 wherein the mask element is in a stowed position; and, deploying the mask element to cover the mouth and nose of the wearer.
 20. A mask element adapted to be attached either permanently or removably to a garment for covering at least an upper portion of the body of a wearer, the mask element being configured to adopt a stowed position and a deployed position in which the mask element extends forward to cover the nose and/or mouth of the wearer. 